Larry's Perennial Violet Tour

Viola obliqua
This violet likes it moist at all times, in spite of the fact that it has very fleshy rhizomes for roots. Often in plants this is a sign that it can take drought, but not for this one. They will also take quite a lot of shade. The pale-blue flowers on this plant are very pleasant, having so many stripes for pollen guides that they almost look like orchids they are so exotic. These are very nice coming out of pots, as long as they are kept moist.

Viola odorata
Sweet Violet
It's flowers are pink, light purple or white, and are not as showy as most other violets, but they do have scent and long-lasting foliage behind them. In mild summer areas they will often bloom once in the spring and again in late-summer, or sporadically all season. The older cultivars of Sweet Violet, including 'White Czar', respond well to annual replanting and division, but this should not be necessary with the plain species. All appreciate rich loamy soil that is cool, and light shade to shade.

At right is pictured a rarer red form of sweet violet. Pictured at left is Viola odorata 'Governer Herrick.'

Viola pedata
Bird's Food Violet
It seems that everyone likes this violet so much because of it's leaves, which are interesting and geranium-like in themselves. It is indeed one of the most beautiful of Viola species but can be very difficult to grow, especially in pots for sale. It requres very well-drained soil on the acid side, and warmth and moisture during the summer. In it's native area of New York to Wisconson and south to Texas it grows in open woods and in open ditches of sandy soil. They're also often naturally mulched by deciduous forests, and this helps to provide acidity also. If you can get them to grow however, they will bloom in spring and fall.

Viola pinnata
This violet has fragrant, blue-violet flowers with 1/2 inch petals and stout spurs, but that's not what makes them so interesting. Their long-lasting foliage is very interesting, being deeply divided into many narrow parts. They only grow to 4 inches tall and are pretty much stemless. They bloom right after the snow melts in alpine areas, so these must have a cold period to do well and prefer well-drained soil on the acid side.

Viola renifolia
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